A Lively Experiment Podcast

This week on A Lively Experiment, Governor McKee makes it official: he’s in for the re-election campaign despite a mixed report card. Plus, from tariffs to DOGE: keeping up with the latest out of Washington and the impacts in Rhode Island. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by the founder of Watchdog RI Ken Block, Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi and Harrison Tuttle of Black Lives Matter RI PAC.

This week on A Lively Experiment, the ripple effect of federal cuts in Rhode Island. Plus, what can be done to reduce your skyrocketing electric bill? One legislator proposes cuts to clean energy initiatives. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies of The Economic Progress Institute, former State Representative Nick Gorham and WPRI-TV Digital Content Producer, Raymond Baccari.

This week on A Lively Experiment, at what point do government cuts spark public opposition? A federal judge in Rhode Island is at the center of the fight. Plus, find out how the Ocean State would be affected by federal education cuts. Host Ian Donnis is joined by former RI GOP National Committeeman Steve Frias, reporter Nancy Lavin of Rhode Island Current and political contributor Robert Walsh.

This week on a Lively Experiment: breaking down this week’s head-spinning directives from President Trump. Plus, a video raises the question: was it planned demolition or collapse at the Washington Bridge? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Boston Globe reporter and RI PBS Weekly contributor, Steph Machado plus political contributor Don Roach and Billy Hunt of the Libertarian Party of RI.

This week on A Lively Experiment, confusion reigns during Trump’s first week in office. Are funds to fix the Washington Bridge in jeopardy as a result of a larger federal pause? Plus, news on Johnston’s affordable housing fight. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by RI GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki, Bill Bartholomew of the Bartholomewtown Podcast, and Democratic strategist Rob Horowitz.

This week on A Lively Experiment: at long last, the Providence pallet shelters are slated to open. Can a new bill speed up the temporary housing process? Plus, the local take on President Trump’s busy and controversial first week. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Paige Parks of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and former State Representative Mike Marcello.

This week on Lively, moderator Jim Hummel is joined by attorney and former prosecutor Eva-Marie Mancuso, political contributor Pablo Rodriguez and Joe Larisa, an attorney & former governor Almond’s Chief of Staff. They break down the governor’s State of the State and next year’s budget. The big question: how to bridge a $300 million deficit? Plus, predicting President Trump’s early days in office.

This week on A Lively Experiment, House and Senate leaders break down the key issues Rhode Island faces in 2025. Moderator JIm Hummel is joined by House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, Senate Majority Leader Val Lawson, Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz and House Majority Leader Chris Blazejerski. Topics include the budget deficit, cyberattack, truck tolls, and the Washington Bridge.

This week on a Lively Experiment, how state officials will mitigate the fallout of the cyberattack that may impact 650,000 Rhode Islanders, as information from the hack makes its way to The Dark Web. Plus: new year, new session, new challenges for the General Assembly. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Providence Journal State House reporter Patrick Anderson and Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.

This week on a Lively Experiment, moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Ian Donnis of The Public’s Radio, Boston Globe Reporter and RI PBS Weekly Contributor Steph Machado, and Brown University Political Science professor Wendy Schiller. It’s nearly a wrap on 2024! Join us for a look back on the highs and lows of the past 12 months plus some predictions for the year ahead in Rhode Island.